What pleased the Kazekage was that Torifu didn't take the medicinal herb back: "Kazekage-sama is joking. Since this item was already intended as a gift, there's no reason to take it back."
Then he looked at Sasori: "Just take it without worry. After you consume it, see if you can defeat Konan and Yahiko in the arena."
Sasori didn't hesitate, directly taking the small, nine-leafed herb. The moment the medicinal herb was in his hand, both Sasori's heart and the Kazekage's heart felt relieved.
"Thank you very much, Hokage-sama. I will do my best in the arena."
Torifu smiled slightly: "Train hard, and strive to free your Master from his duties sooner."
Towards the Kazekage, Torifu always felt a sense of kinship with him.
Especially in the past two years, whenever they discussed retirement, they would always talk for a long time.
Torifu couldn't interfere in the affairs of other nations, so he could only help the Kazekage in this way.
After so many years of acquaintance, they could be considered half-friends, so giving a small herb was nothing.
The benefits these contracts signed by the Kazekage brought to Konohagakure were far beyond what a single herb could compare to.
"Alright, Hokage-sama, I'll strive to kick Master out of his position sooner!"
The Kazekage glared at Sasori good-naturedly. What was this kid saying! Although he really wanted to retire, it wasn't to the point of being "kicked out" by his own student.
Regardless, to have his student show such resolve, he, as the Master, was quite pleased.
Afterward, the Kazekage and Torifu chatted about everyday matters for a while. When it was nearly lunchtime, the Kazekage took Sasori and took their leave.
"Won't Kazekage-sama stay for lunch before leaving?"
The Kazekage waved his hand after hearing this: "No need, Hokage-sama. I still have some unfinished business. Today, we chatted so delightfully that I lost track of time, so I need to go back and take care of it now."
Torifu nodded after hearing this: "Alright, then if Kazekage has any needs, feel free to find me or my secretary; either of us can help you resolve it."
The Kazekage cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, then left the Kumotsuru Clan territory.
After the two arrived on the street, Sasori spoke up: "Master, should I absorb the reward Hokage-sama gave me now, or wait until we return to Sunagakure to absorb it?"
"Just use it as soon as we get back to the apartment. The effect of what the Hokage gave you will certainly be as he described, and it will allow you to go further in the arena."
The Kazekage had one more thing he didn't say: he felt that even for such a simple spar, the Hokage had prepared such a reward.
If it were the arena competition, and one won the championship or placed in the top three, the rewards would certainly not be small either.
Since there was an opportunity to become stronger, as his Master, he would definitely have his student strive for it.
However, judging from today's match, if Sasori encountered Yahiko in the arena and was serious, there might be a chance to win.
But if he encountered Konan, he could just go straight home. He hoped Sasori's luck would be better.
After the two returned to the apartment, under the Kazekage's supervision, Sasori directly consumed the nine-leafed herb.
A gentle breeze emanated from his body, beginning to swirl continuously around him.
The Kazekage was quite experienced and knowledgeable, but he had never seen such a phenomenon before.
"A Chakra Herb, truly amazing."
Such a rare item, he had only heard of it, never even seen it, yet the Hokage simply gave it away for free.
Truly extravagantly generous.
The gentle breeze around Sasori quickly ceased, and continuously flowed back into his body through his mouth and nose.
After about five minutes, Sasori opened his eyes, his excited expression practically overflowing.
"Master! I feel like my chakra has increased significantly! And my control over wind-style chakra is also much stronger!"
Seeing Sasori's joyful appearance, the Kazekage knew Sasori had definitely benefited greatly.
"That's good. We owe the Hokage a great favor this time."
The Kazekage wouldn't be foolish enough to think this Chakra Herb was earned by Sasori impressing the Hokage with his skill.
He had already begun to think of ways to repay this favor.
Sasori also said seriously after hearing this: "I'll help Master repay it. This Chakra Herb has helped me greatly!"
"Good."
While the Kazekage and Sasori were planning how to thank and repay Torifu, Torifu himself didn't care at all.
Contrary to the Kazekage's guess, Torifu had simply gifted it casually. After all, his two students had one, but Sasori didn't, which would have been too awkward.
Another reason was what he had just mentioned: to help the Kazekage accelerate his retirement.
Yahiko and Konan had also absorbed their Chakra Herbs by this time, and their strength had increased significantly compared to when they had just sparred.
Konan felt that if she clashed with Sasori again, she might be able to defeat him even more quickly.
"Yahiko, the medicinal herb I gave Sasori is a bit more precious than yours. Besides enhancing elemental affinity, it can also increase chakra."
"Do you still have the confidence to defeat him in the arena?" Torifu asked with a smile.
Yahiko, however, calmly nodded: "Master, you can rest assured. This time, I only used a very ordinary tactic to defeat Sasori, and still had a lot of strength left unused."
Konan made a face from the side: "Yahiko is so weak. I didn't even use any tactics, yet I defeated him so easily."
Yahiko chose to ignore Konan's words. There was nothing he could do; Konan was speaking the truth, and he couldn't refute it, so he could only choose to tune her out.
"Remember this, both of you: never underestimate or look down on others, otherwise, you might very well stumble."
"Even if your ninjutsu, Konan, countered Sasori's, the Kazekage might very well come up with counter-techniques to teach Sasori within these three days."
Konan stuck out her tongue upon hearing this: "Alright, Master, I understand. I was just teasing Yahiko. I would never look down on others."
Torifu knew this, of course; he was just giving his two students some extra assurance. But if they still made such a mistake in the arena, then there would definitely be punishment.
"Alright, the takeout we ordered should be arriving soon. Go call Minato and Amado to come eat."
The two youngsters ran off laughing after receiving the order, and brought everyone back shortly.
Kushina and Minato had been playing games all morning, and by now, Kushina seemed a bit unhappy, not really acknowledging Minato.
Minato was quite helpless about this and could only try to coax her.
Torifu shook his head at the sight. It seemed this kid had trounced Kushina in a game again.
Sometimes, he really didn't know whether to call his emotional intelligence high or low.
However, Torifu didn't get involved in their affairs. It was normal for young couples to bicker.
After everyone finished lunch, Torifu planned to go back to his room to rest.
As for cleaning up the mess and such, he would leave it to the youngsters.